Putnam County, Ohio

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 484 sqmi, of which 483 sqmi is land and 1.8 sqmi (0.4%) is water. The Blanchard River passes through the county.

Adjacent counties

• Henry County (north)
• Hancock County (east)
• Allen County (south)
• Van Wert County (southwest)
• Paulding County (west)
• Defiance County (northwest)
• Wood County (northeast, at a single point)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2020

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 34,451. The median age was 40.2 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.9 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 93.1% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian,

15.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 84.2% lived in rural areas.

There were 12,976 households in the county, of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 61.4% were married-couple households, 15.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 18.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 13,824 housing units, of which 6.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 83.8% were owner-occupied and 16.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 34,499 people, 12,872 households, and 9,556 families living in the county.{{cite web |access-date=December 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022702/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US39137 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213183300/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US39137 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032949/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US39137 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

Of the 12,872 households, 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.8% were non-families, and 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.13. The median age was 39.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $56,573 and the median income for a family was $65,882. Males had a median income of $44,417 versus $33,200 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,023. About 5.8% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web |access-date=December 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033240/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US39137 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 34,726 people, 12,200 households, and 9,308 families living in the county. The population density was 72 /mi2. There were 12,753 housing units at an average density of 26 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.26% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.51% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 4.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,200 households, out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.90% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.70% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.70% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,426, and the median income for a family was $52,859. Males had a median income of $36,548 versus $23,963 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,680. About 4.00% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Prior to 1940, Putnam County was a Democratic Party county stronghold presidential elections, with James M. Cox in 1920 being the only Democrat to lose it before that year. But starting with the 1940 election, it has become a Republican stronghold. The only 2 Democrats to win the county since then are Harry S. Truman in 1948 and Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Putnam County is known for its strong social conservatism. In November 2023, it gave only 17% of the vote to Ohio Issue 1, which legalized abortion, and 31% to Ohio Issue 2, which legalized recreational marijuana. In both referendums, this was the lowest percentage for any county in Ohio. |}

Education

The Putnam County Board of Education operates nine separate school districts county-wide.

• Columbus Grove Local School, Putnam County, Ohio
  • St. Anthony's Elementary
• Continental Local School, Putnam County, Ohio
• Fort Jennings Local School District, Putnam County, Ohio
• Kalida Local School District, Putnam County, Ohio
• Leipsic Local School District, Putnam County, Ohio
  • Leipsic St. Mary's Elementary
• McComb Local School District, Hancock County, Ohio (mostly in Hancock County)
• Miller City-New Cleveland Local School District, Putnam County, Ohio
• Ottawa-Glandorf Local School District, Putnam County, Ohio
  • St. Peter and Paul Elementary
  • Ottawa Elementary
  • Glandorf Elementary
• Ottoville Local School District, Putnam County, Ohio
• Pandora-Gilboa Local School, Putnam County, Ohio

Other villages across the county are served by one or more of these districts above in the district's zone area.

Communities

Villages

• Belmore
• Cloverdale
• Columbus Grove
• Continental
• Dupont
• Fort Jennings
• Gilboa
• Glandorf
• Kalida
• Leipsic
• Miller City
• Ottawa (county seat)
• Ottoville
• Pandora
• West Leipsic

Townships

• Blanchard
• Greensburg
• Jackson
• Jennings
• Liberty
• Monroe
• Monterey
• Ottawa
• Palmer
• Perry
• Pleasant
• Riley
• Sugar Creek
• Union
• Van Buren

Census-designated place

• Vaughnsville

Unincorporated communities

• Avis
• Cascade
• Crosswell
• Cuba
• Dorninton
• Douglas
• Elm Center
• Hartsburg
• Hector
• Jones City
• Kieferville
• Muntanna
• New Cleveland
• North Creek
• Prentiss
• Rice
• Rimer
• Rushmore
• Townwood
• Wisterman

Footnotes

References

1. [https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 census]
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (2007). "Ohio: Individual County Chronologies". The Newberry Library.
4. Warren, Robert. (May 31, 1953). "Blanchard River Brought Pioneers To Putnam". Toledo Blade.
5. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
8. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
9. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
10. "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Ohio- Table 59 - Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 AND Table 58 - Race by Sex: 1980".
11. "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Ohio: Table 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin".
12. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Putnam County, Ohio".
13. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Putnam County, Ohio".
14. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Putnam County, Ohio".
15. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
16. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
17. not an option in the 1980 Census
18. not an option in the 1990 Census
19. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
20. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
21. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
22. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
23. "Ohio Decides - Election Night Reporting".
24. "Putnam County Election Results".
25. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".